Although the steering wheel looks nice, there are no real close up pics. I would be hesitant to buy it not knowing a professional or novice repaired the wheel. I would ask who did the resto and if the wheel is returnable if not happy as this is not outlined in the ad. With a $680 BIN and a $38 shipping charge, I would ask for this info.
I had a 68 steering wheel, cracked at the hub and spokes. I sent it to http://www.garyssteeringwheel.com/ for restoration and it cost me $500 for the repair and refinish. The steering wheel had 2 cracks at the hub and spoke cracks, the metal was pitted, there were 6-8 cracks in the spokes. He guaranteed the work and it is phenomenal. I have 2 black 68 wheels, one original to the car and a spare I bought with center cap for $350. Yes, the repair work was $500 and the wheel and resto cost me $850 ($170 more than the wheel on Ebay) But again, the repair was done by a professional. You could also argue that the center horn button alone with a clear acrylic center and unfaded Bird is valued at $100-$150 alone which helps justify the Ebay steering wheel cost.
It is a nice find, don't get me wrong..It's the reliability and workmanship that I would look at. If you have a core, ship it to him and you will not be disappointed. However, a novice completing this work without the proper material, periphery/supporting tools of the trade, and experience, this wheel may not be what it purports to be. Again, the lack of up close pics in detail has me concerned.
This isn't a bashing to the OP...just using my past experience in the matter.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
1967 Starlight black PMD Engineering 400 Auto 1968 Alpine Blue 400 4 speed 1968 Verdoro Green 400 HO 4 speed 2013 1LE 2SS/RS Inferno Orange Camaro.
Good point Banshee. I recently restored my deluxe steering wheel and mine looks good from far away picture s too
My steering had MANY cracks and some were pulled so far apart that I didn't feel comfortable working them to their original position. I was afraid they would just re-crack again with that much tension. I ended up blending them together and it turned out looking pretty good however I don't think someone paying 680 would be happy with it.
I made contact with the seller and here is some additional information. I also have some new pictures he sent me. It is not a recast but if I was needing a deluxe wheel it may be a opportunity. It looks pretty good from the pictures. A recast is about 1000-1200 plus the cost of a core.
"I'll try to get additional pictures ASAP. As far as the process goes, all I can say it's not a recast which is normally done when the wheel is beyond repair. This wheel was not that far gone. However, it did take me several months to complete. Relaxing the memory of the plastic is the hard part. Once all the parts line-up, a 2 part epoxy fills in the seams . Sounds simple...believe me it's not. Sometimes, I have to bolt the plastic hub to the steel core. All wheels are different. No one set of rules will work on every wheel. You just have to do enough of them to know what will work. I hope that answers your question.
Also, I did my first wheel on my car in the late 90's. Except for one hair line crack, it looks as good as the day I finished it. Certainly last longer than the original.
1968 400 Coupe, verdoro green, black vinyl top 1968 400 Convertible, verdoro green, black top 1971 Trans Am, cameo white, auto 1970 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 350-4(driver)
